Fastening device for wearing-apparel.



L. E. SMITH. FASTENING DEVICEPOR. WEARING APPAREL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10.1906.

A TTOR/VE Y5 PATENTED FEB. 11, 1908.'

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' LOUIS E. SMITH, OF LOCK HAVEN, PENNSLYVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO PATRICK W. GORDON, OF OATAWISSA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1908.

Application filed July 10 1906- Serial No. 325.547.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Louis E. SMITH, a

citizen of the United States, residing at certain instances in the p ace of buttons, and

it relates more particularly to ahook provided with means whereby the same may be applied to a garment with or without attaching threads or'other retaining means.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a device of this character made of a single length of wir'e bent to form a suitable hook or bill,'and fastening pins, eyes or loops being formed on the shank portion of the device whereby the same can be applied to a garment and secured by means of threads. These eyes or loops are so positioned that there is practically no wear on the threads, thus insuring the hook from becoming accidentally detached.

A further object of the invention is to rovide a simplified construction of this 0 ass of fastening devices so that they are easy to apply and remain permanently attached.

With these objects in view and others as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention comprises the various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully described hereinafter and set forth with particularity in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates one of the embodiments of the invention; Figure 1 shows a portion of a pair of trousers with two of my improved fastening devices applied thereto to take the place of the usual suspender buttons, a portion of the suspenders being shown. Fig: 2 is a similar view showing the fastening devices employed as a belt supporter for holding the belt in position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the fastening device shown applied to a garment, and, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the fastening device detached. Fig.

5 is an enlarged detail view showing one method of sewing the fastening device to a garment.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated throughout by similar characters of reference.

In carrying out the invention a single piece of wire of suitable gage and desired material is employed, the ends of which are pointed as indicated at 1. The wire is bent centrally on itself to form a' bill 2 formed of two legs 3 dis osed in the shape of a V. From the ends of t e legs the wire is bent back under the bill to form two shank members 4, the wire being rebent to form attaching pins 5 that are disposed substantially parallel with the members 4. At approximately the middle of each of the members 4, a loop or eye 6 is provided, which forms means for receiving thread by which the device may be securely held in position. The eyes 6 project inwardly toward each other and are arranged to meet, the inner curved end or bend 7 of one abutting the like end or bend of the other as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. This permits of both eyes being bound to the garment by the thread being passed around the two curved portions or ends 7 several times as indicated at 8, Fi s. 1 and 5. After this is done, the device canbe further attached to the garment by means of the thread being sewed around the parallel portions .9 of. the loops as shown at 8, Fig. 1.

A fastening device of the character described is applicable to anumber of uses, as for instance 1t may be employed in the place of buttons for trousers and other garments, and the strain or wear is not subjected upon the fastening thread as in the case of buttons but is brought to bear on the bends 10 between the legs 3 of the .bill and-the members 4 of the shank. As shown in Fig. 1 two hooks or fastening devices are illustrated in connection with a portion of trousers indicated .at 11, and suspenders 12 are shown engagingwith the devices. In Fig. 2, the same devices are shown serving as supporters for holding a belt 13 in position. It is obvious that the fastening devices may be used in other connections, as for instance in skirt supporters and other places where buttons are employed. Furthermore, the shank construction shown herewith may be employed in connection with hook and eye fastenings as will be readily understood.

It will be observed that the legs of the bill are arranged at a suitable distance apart so that easy access is provided for sewing the eyes or loops 6 by means of thread to a garment, and by arranging the loops 6 under the bill the appearance of the device when applied to a garment is improved, and less space is required than if the loops were turned outwardly. Furthermore, by causing the loops 6 to abut each other, greater rigidity is imparted to the device. In some cases a fastening thread is not necessary since the pins 5 will be sufficient to hold the fastening device in position.

I have described the principle of operation of the invention together with the ap paratus which I nowconsider to be the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the a paratus shown is merely illustrative, and that various changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is A garment fastenercomprising an approximately V-shaped hook, a pair of shank members disposed substantially parallel therewith and provided intermediate of their ends with inwardly projecting abutting loops that operate to prevent lateral yielding of the hook and also to provide a means of attaching the fastener to a garment, and attaching members forming continuations of the shank members and occupying a plane substantially parallel therewith.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiiXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS E. SMITH. Witnesses A. B. MoOABE, M. T. CONWAY. 

